Services enter final of Santosh Trophy

Defending champions Services came back from behind through a late goal and struck twice in the extra time to beat Punjab 3-1 in a thrilling semifinal of the 67th Santosh Trophy football championship here tonight to set up a title clash against hosts Kerala.

Services meet Kerala in the summit clash on Sunday. Kerala had beaten Maharashtra 2-1 in the first semifinal yesterday.

Seven-time winners, Punjab drew the first blood in the 20th minute through Vijay Kumar. But Services scored the equaliser through C Lalian Mawia in the 86th minute to end the regulation time at 1-1.

In the extra time, Dhanji Singh of Services netted a goal in the 108th minute which was followed by Lalian Mawia's second goal in 117th minute, thus sealing the fate of Punjab.